Module 115-Streamflow

Engineering Hydrology Training Series

Module 115-Streamflow

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Table of Contents
Module Description ................................................................................. vii
Introduction ................................................................................................1
Streamflow Data ....................................................................................... 2
Sources of Data ................................................................................... 2
Activity 1 .................................................................................................. 6
Streamflow Variability.............................................................................. 7
Accuracy of Measurement .................................................................. 7
Uncertainty in Data Acquisition.......................................................... 9
Water Rights ........................................................................................... 10
State Agencies ................................................................................... 11
Activity 2 ................................................................................................ 12
Summary ................................................................................................. 15

Module Description
Objectives
Upon completion of this module, the participant will able to:

Identify NRCS needs for streamflow data.

List the data sources for streamflow.

Describe streamflow variability.

Distinguish between riparian and prior appropriation water rights.

Identify common state agencies responsible for water laws.

Prerequisites
Module 101-Introduction to Hydrology and Module 102-Precipitation
References
National Engineering Handbook, Section 4, Hydrology, Chapter 5.
National Handbook of Recommended Methods for Water Data Acquisition, Chapter 1, "Surface
Water" Office of Water Data Coordination, Geological Survey, U.S. Department of Interior,
Reston, VA 22092.
Duration
Participant should take as long as necessary to complete this module. Training time for the
module is approximately one hour.
Eligibility
This module is intended for all NRCS employees who use streamflow data.
Method of Completion
This method is self-study, but states should select a resource person to answer any questions that
the participant's supervisor cannot handle.
Overview
This module presents streamflow data sources, streamflow variability, and water rights doctrines
laws.

Introduction
Streamflow data includes flow rates, volumes of flow, time of flow, and hydrograph shape. The
U.S. Geological Survey is responsible for collecting, storing, and retrieving streamflow data in
the United States. Either actual data or relationships based on actual data are used in all NRCS
programs.
This module deals with the sources of streamflow data and also some considerations to keep in
mind while working with streamflow data.

Streamflow Data
Within NRCS, the three general needs for streamflow data are:

The National Water and Climate Center in Portland, Oregon uses streamflow data in
many of its forecasting procedures.

Water rights for irrigation and municipal use are heavily dependent on streamflow data.
The design and operation of many irrigation systems in the western states are dependent
on knowing how much water is flowing in a particular stream. The design and operation
of municipal and rural water supplier and recreation reservoirs are based on streamflow
measurements.

Engineers need to know streamflow data when designing water resource projects, such as
rock riprap and stream channel improvement jobs. Streamflow data are often compared
with runoff estimates based on rainfall, soils, and land use. Streamflow data is used in
preparation of environmental assessment for water resource project documents.

Sources of Data
The water supply papers prepared by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) are the most common
source of streamflow data used by NRCS. Most NRCS state offices keep a complete file of water
supply papers for their jurisdiction. These papers are usually maintained within the state
engineer's office. In some states, the snow survey data collection officer or water supply
specialist may be maintaining these files. An example of a standard water supply paper is given
in figure 1.

10011500 BEAR RIVER NEAR UTAH-WYOMING STATE LINE

LOCATION.-Lat 4057'55", long 11051'10", in. SE1/4 NW1/4 SE1/4 sec 30, T. 3 N., R. 10 E, Summit County, Utah Hydrologic Unit 16010101, on left
bank 400 ft downstream from West Fork and 2.8 mi upstream from Utah-Wyoming State line.
DRAINAGE AREA.-172 mi2
PERIOD OF RECORD July 1942 to current year.
REVISED RECORDS.-WRD UT-74-1: Drainage area.
GAGE.-Water-stage recorder. Elevation of gage is 7,965 ft. above sea level, from river-profile map. Prior to Oct. 1, 1986 at datum 3.0 ft. lower.
REMARKS KS.-Records good except for estimated daily discharges, which are poor. Flow regulated slightly by Whitney Reservoir, total capacity, 4,700
acre-ft since 1966. Three diversions above station for irrigation of about 265 acres above and 2,600 acres below station. EXTREMES FOR PERIOD OF
RECORD,-Maximum discharge, 3,320 ft3/s June 6, 1986, gage height, 4.05 ft; maximum gage height, 4.28 ft. June 19, 1983, datum then in use;
minimum, 6.8 ft3/s Apr. 12, 1984, result of upstream ice jam.
EXTREMES FOR CURRENT YEAR.-Peak discharges greater than base discharge of 1100 ft3/s and maximum (*):
Date
Time
Discharge (ft3/s)
Gage height (ft)
Date
Time
Discharge (ft3/s)
Gage height (ft)
May 26
2400
'2, 260
*6.87
June 16
0200
1760
6.51
Minimum daily discharge, 23 ft3/s , Feb. 13, 14
DISCHARGE, CUBIC FEET PER SECOND, WATER YEAR OCTOBER 1992 TO SEPTEMBER 1993 DAILY MEAN VALUES
DAY
OCT
NOV
DEC
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
1
35
51
e43
e30
e29
e26
50
125
1490
755
219
77
2
35
52
e43
e30
e28
e27
55
139
1360
750
203
74
3
36
45
e40
e28
e28
e28
50
183
1150
775
189
70
4
38
47
e37
e25
e26
e29
54
276
878
632
188
71
5
37
52
e39
e30
e24
e30
57
208
766
507
186
75
6
37
50
e39
e33
e25
e32
53
170
727
433
172
73
7
38
49
e42
e35
e26
e34
50
158
590
401
166
68
e26
e35
49
143
527
393
182
57
8
37
49
e45
e33
9
37
42
e45
e31
e27
e35
56
132
469
380
175
55
10
35
38
e45
e28
e26
e35
56
161
508
373
163
53
11
35
77
e44
e27
e25
e34
56
247
690
392
181
52
12
34
53
e42
e27
e24
e33
53
344
878
391
160
75
13
34
48
e40
e31
e23
e34
52
456
961
384
142
119
14
34
47
e40
e33
e23
e34
50
618
1090
350
146
121
15
33
47
e40
e33
e24
e34
53
752
1430
322
137
117
16
32
45
e40
e32
e24
e34
54
936
1500
304
130
118
17
33
44
e41
e32
e25
e35
54
1050
1320
281
122
126
1050
264
116
131
18
33
43
e41
e32
e27
37
68
1210
19
34
43
e40
e31
e26
37
59
1360
988
248
117
124
20
34
41
e39
e35
e26
36
55
1430
1160
235
116
102
21
33
40
e38
e32
e26
40
63
1680
1350
228
129
98
22
36
47
e38
e30
e26
37
82
1890
1290
237
114
97
23
38
44
e39
e29
e26
43
99
1470
1160
357
105
95
24
35
e42
e39
e29
e26
49
89
1440
916
488
98
94
25
36
e40
e39
e29
e25
53
82
1530
861
297
93
93
26
41
e40
e42
e28
e24
54
105
1860
915
373
100
84
27
39
e42
e44
e27
e24
55
127
1860
952
339
92
61
28
53
e42
e38
e27
e25
55
138
1640
970
265
89
59
29
53
e38
e39
e27
51
150
1510
936
239
83
58
30
54
e39
e39
e27
49
142
1460
845
247
80
57
31
56
e36
e28
46
1460
231
79
TOTAL
1175
1377
1256
929
714
1191
2161
27898
29676
11871
4272
2554
MEAN
37.9
45.9
40.5
30.0
25.5
38.4
72.0
900
989
383
138
85.1
MAX
56
77
45
35
29
55
150
1890
1500
775
219
131
MIN
32
38
36
25
23
26
49
125
469
228
79
52
AC-FT
2330
2730
2490
1840
1420
2360
4290
55340
58860
23550
8470
5070
STATISTICS OF MONTHLY MEAN DATA FOR WATER YEARS 1943-1993, BY WATER YEAR (WY)
MEAN
62.2
54.0
46.5
41.6
40.0
43.0
112
597
862
294
94.0
72.1
MAX
208
106
94.9
72.4
64.3
69.0
316
1044
1990
933
244
229
1984
1984
1984
1986
1946
1984
1986
1975
1965
1983
(WY)
1983
1984
MIN
30.8
32.5
27.7
29.6
25.3
26.0
37.2
162
204
67.4
37.5
23.9
(WY)
1959
1955
1960
1991
1964
1964
1944
1977
1992
1961
1954
1956
SUMMARY STATISTICS
FOR 1992 CALENDER YEAR
FOR 1993 WATER YEAR
WATER YEARS 1943-1993
ANNUAL TOTAL
40413
85074
ANNUAL MEAN
110
233
193
HIGHEST ANNUAL MEAN
335 1986
LOWEST ANNUAL MEAN
81.5 1977
HIGHEST DAILY MEAN
882 May 20
1890 May 22
2680 Jun 4 1986
LOWEST DAILY MEAN
27 Feb 20
23 Feb 13
18 Jan 3 1960
ANNUAL SEVEN DAY MINIMUM
31 Feb 16
24 Feb 11
21 Dec 28 1959
ANNUAL RUNOFF (AC-FT)
80160
168700
140100
10 PERCENT EXCEEDS
318
868
610
50 PERCENT EXCEEDS
47
53
58
90 PERCENT EXCEEDS 35
35
e Estimated
Figure 1. Standard water supply paper.

The water supply papers contain the mean daily flows and the total volume of flow for the
various gage streams in the state. The station history is usually listed before the monthly data.
The station history contains the number of years of record that the station has, whether or not
water is withdrawn above the gaging station, the maximum and minimum flows recorded at the
gaging site, and the date at which these flows occurred.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has also compiled the data from its water supply papers
into a computer data bank called WATSTORE. WATSTORE can be accessed through most
computer terminals using passwords and data provided by USGS. Most NRCS state offices have
accounts with USGS to access their WATSTORE data. A variety of data can be accessed and
analyzed through this computer system. Examples are: mean daily flows, peak flow data, both
high and low flow durations, historical events, and monthly and annual statistics. WATSTORE
also has the capability of doing statistical analyses on the entire historical data series of a station
or on a data series.
Other federal agencies also compile streamflow data on streams of interest. The U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers generally maintains streamflow data on larger streams than are of interest to
NRCS. The USDA Forest Service maintains streamflow data on study watersheds. The USDA
Agricultural Research Service also maintains streamflow data.
The U.S. Department of Interior, through the Bureau of Reclamation, monitors streamflow
within irrigation projects. These data are available by contacting the local Bureau of Reclamation
office within the irrigated areas. In some states, the state engineer will do streamflow
measurements through the Department of Ecology or other state agencies responsible for
monitoring streamflow. Some irrigation companies also maintain stream records on small side
streams. In addition, county resource agencies and private power companies may compile this
data.

Activity 1
At this time, complete activity 1 in your Study Guide to review the material just covered. After
finishing the Activity, compare your answers with the solution provided. When you are satisfied
that you understand the material, continue with the Study Guide text.
(Refer to page 6 in Module 115 for Activity 1 Questions page 18 for Activity 1 Solutions)

Streamflow Variability
Streamflow varies from year to year and from season to season due to the amount of
precipitation received in the upper watershed. Streamflow is a part of the hydrologic cycle. It is
the one area where water is in a confined channel and can be measured. Storm patterns and the
type of precipitation event also cause a variation in the daily rates of streamflow throughout the
year.
In many of the streams in the northern part of the United States, snowmelt makes up the major
portion of the annual flow. Streamflow will be lowest in late summer and early fall months and
will gradually reach a peak flow in early spring when snowmelt is at a maximum.
Streamflow in the southern part of the United States is affected more by annual rains.
Streamflow variations below large irrigation reservoirs of power dams are man-made and are
based on the need for irrigation water downstream or the power requirements of the power
company's customers.

Accuracy of Measurement
The accuracy of discharge data depends primarily on:

the stability of the stage-discharge relation or the stability of the stream bed

the accuracy of observations of stage, measurements of discharge, and interpretation of

records.

The station description (fig. 1) under "Remarks" generally states the degree of accuracy of the
records. "Excellent" means that about 95 percent of the daily discharges are within 5 percent,
"good" within 10 percent, and "fair" within 15 percent. "Poor" means that daily discharges have
less than "fair" accuracy.
Key point
Figures of daily mean discharge are shown to the nearest hundredth of a cubic foot per second
for discharges of less than 1 cfs, to tenths between 1.0 and 10 cfs, to whole numbers between 10
and 1,000 cfs, and to three significant figures greater than 1,000 cfs. The number of significant
figures used is based solely on the magnitude of the figure listed for partial-record stations and
miscellaneous sites.
Discharge at many stations, as indicated by the monthly mean, may not reflect natural runoff due
to the effects of diversion, consumptive use, regulation, evaporation, or other factors. For such
stations, discharge in cubic feet per second per square mile and runoff in inches are not published
unless satisfactory adjustments can be made for such effects. Evaporation from a reservoir is not
included in the adjustments for changes in reservoir contents, unless it is so stated. Even at those
stations where adjustments are made, large errors in computed runoff may occur if adjustments
or unadjusted losses (consumptive use, evaporation, seepage, etc.) are large in comparison with

the observed discharge.

Uncertainty in Data Acquisition

The total uncertainty or error inherent in hydrologic data and information is generally very
complex and difficult to assess. Direct-reading scalar values, such as stream stage, channel
width, or stream depth, present little chance for error, thus the uncertainty is small. Stream
discharge, on the other hand, is more complex, because the discharge determination is made
using a combination of scalar and vector quantities, each having inherent errors that are additive
(algebraically) in evaluating the total uncertainty.
Much of the uncertainty associated with acquisition of water data and information can be
eliminated through the use of standard recommended methods. Because almost all errors (both
random and systematic) are due to the observer, the instrument or equipment, or the
measurement method, the total uncertainty can be decreased appreciably through standardization,
familiarity, confidence, and the use of recommended methods for data acquisition.
By decreasing the random and systematic error, and therefore, the total error, the accuracy and
precision of the data are increased, and the reliability of the data and information is increased.

Water Rights
The two basic divergent doctrines regarding the right to use water in the United States are
riparian and appropriation. In different states they are recognized either separately or as a
combination of both doctrines. They apply only to surface water in natural water courses and to
water in well defined underground streams.
The riparian doctrine comes to us from English common law based on the principle that it is the
right of a. riparian owner to make reasonable use of the stream's flow, provided the water is used
on riparian land. Riparian land is described as land that is contiguous (joins or touches) to a
stream or body of surface water. Land ownership includes the right to access and use the water,
and this right is not lost by nonuse. Reasonable water use generally implies that the landowner
may use all that is needed for drinking, household, and livestock use. Where large herds of
livestock are watered or where water is used for irrigation, the riparian owner is not permitted to
exhaust the remainder of the stream.
The doctrine of prior appropriation is based on the priority of development and use. In other
words, the first to develop and put the water to beneficial use has a prior right to continue its use.
The right of appropriation is acquired by filing a claim in accordance with the laws of the state in
which the use is proposed. According to the doctrine of prior appropriation, the water must be
put to a beneficial use, but the appropriator has the right to all water required for that use in a
given time and place. This principle assumes that it is better to let individuals with prior claims
take all the water, rather than to distribute inadequate amounts to several owners.
Appropriated water rights are not limited to riparian land and may be lost by nonuse or
abandonment. The doctrine of prior appropriation is recognized in all 17 western states, although

some states use a combination of it and the riparian doctrine.

State Agencies
Different states have different agencies that are responsible for water rights, so there is no one
agency to look for. Some possible agencies are the State Department of Water Resources, the
State Department of Ecology, and the State Department of Natural Resources. In some cases, no
state agency is responsible for water rights. In a few cases, NRCS state engineers have the
responsibility for the water rights.

Activity 2
At this time, complete Activity 2 in your Study Guide to review the material just covered. After
finishing the Activity, compare your answers with the solution provided. When you are satisfied
that you understand the material, continue with the Study Guide text.
(Refer to pages 12-14 in Module 115 for Activity 2 Questions and pages 19-20 for Activity 2
Solutions)

Summary
You should now be able to identify the sources and uses of streamflow data, to describe the two
water rights doctrines, and to identify common state agencies responsible for water rights.
Retain this Study Guide as a reference until you are satisfied that you have successfully mastered
the material. It will provide an easy review at any time if you should encounter a problem.
If you have had problems understanding the module or if you would like to take additional,
related modules, contact your supervisor.
When you are satisfied that you have completed this module, remove the Certification of
Completion sheet (last page of the Study Guide), fill it out, and give it to your supervisor to
submit, through channels, to your Training Officer.

Module 115 Streamflow Activity Questions

Activity 1
1. List the three general needs for streamflow data.
a.

b.

c.

2. Name at least five sources of streamflow data.

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
(Refer to page 18 in Module 115 for Solutions to Activity 1)

Activity 2
1. What are three general causes of streamflow variability?
a.
b.
c.
2. What are the two basic doctrines of water rights?
a.
b.

3. What is the difference between the two water rights doctrines?

a.
b.
c.

4. Discuss problems associated with listing the state agencies responsible for water rights.

After comparing your answers with the solutions, continue with the audiovisual presentation.
(Refer to pages 19-20 in Module 115 for Solutions to Activity 2)

Module 115 Streamflow Activity Solutions

Activity 1
1. List the three general needs for stream flow data.
a. Water forecasting by the Water Supply Forecasting staff at the West National Technical
Center.
b. Water rights for irrigation and municipal use, and the design and operation of irrigation
systems, water supply, and recreation reservoirs.
c. Design of water resource projects, such as rock riprap and stream channel improvement
jobs, by NRCS engineers.

2. Name at least five sources of streamflow data.

a. U.S. Geological Survey
b. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
c. USDA Forest Service
d. USDA Agricultural Research Service
e. U.S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Reclamation
f. State agencies
g. Private companies

Activity 2
1. What are the three general causes of streamflow variability?
a. Storm patterns and types of precipitation from annual rains
b. Snowmelt
c. Location below large irrigation or power reservoirs

2. What are the two basic doctrines of water rights?

a. Riparian
b. Appropriation

3. What is the difference between the two water rights doctrines?

a. Riparian water rights apply only to land adjoining a stream or body of surface water;
appropriation rights do not.
b. Riparian water rights are maintained even if not used; appropriation water rights are
lost by nonuse.
c. Where riparian water rights are concerned, everyone along the stream has an equal right
to a certain amount of water. Where appropriation water rights are concerned, the
appropriator has the right to all water required by a beneficial use at a given time and
place, even if others do not get any. This is based on the idea that the first to develop and
put water to beneficial use has a right to continue its use.

4. Discuss problems associated with listing the state agencies responsible for water rights.
Generally, no common state agency is responsible for water rights. Each state has its own
guidelines and agency that is responsible. Some states do not have any agency that has water
rights responsibility. In a few cases, the state engineer has the responsibility.

Module 115 - Hydrographs Appendix A

Video Narrative
This appendix includes the complete script of the video presentation used in conjunction with the
Study Guide text.

Streamflow Script
This module provides a basic introduction to streamflow as it pertains to the Natural Resources
Conservation Service.
Upon completion of this module, you will be able to:

Identify Natural Resources Conservation Service needs for streamflow data.

List the various sources where the NRCS can obtain streamflow data.

Describe streamflow variability.

Distinguish between riparian and appropriation water rights, and, last,

Identify the state agencies responsible for water laws.

Now, let's discuss why the NRCS needs streamflow data.

The National Water and Climate Center in Portland, Oregon uses streamflow data in many of its
forecasting procedures.
Water rights for irrigation and municipal use are heavily dependent on streamflow data.
The design and operation of many irrigation systems in the western states are dependent on
knowing how much water is flowing in a particular stream.
Natural Resources Conservation Service engineers need to have streamflow data when designing
rock riprap and stream channel improvement jobs.
In review, there are three general needs for streamflow data in the NRCS:

water supply forecasting by the National Water and Climate Center in Portland, Oregon

irrigation design scheduling and operation in the western states

water resource project planning and design.

The next topic for discussion is Sources of Streamflow Data.

Sources of streamflow data include the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
USDA's Forest Service and Agricultural Research Service, the Department of Interior's Bureau
of Reclamation, and private companies.
At this time, press "Pause" or "Stop" on your tape player and turn to Activity 1 in the Study
Guide. You will be asked to review the topics "Needs for Streamflow Data" and "Sources of
Streamflow Data" and to complete the activity. When you have finished Activity 1, continue
with the audiovisual presentation.
The next topic is streamflow variability. Streamflow varies from year to year and from season to
season because of the amount of precipitation received in the upper watershed.
Storm patterns and types of precipitation can cause a variation in the daily rate of streamflow
throughout the year.
In many of the streams in the northern states, snowmelt makes up a major portion of the annual
flow.
Streamflow will be the lowest in the late summer and early fall months and will gradually reach
a peak flow in the early spring when snowmelt is at a maximum.
Streamflow in the southern part of the United States is affected more by annual rains.
Finally, streamflow variations below a large irrigation reservoir or power dam are manmade and
based upon the need for irrigation water downstream or power company requirements to meet
customer needs.
In review, streamflow variability is generally caused by:

the amount of precipitation

the type of precipitation; that is rainfall, snowfall

man-made regulation.

Water rights, our next topic, are principally of two types: riparian and appropriation.
Riparian water rights apply only to land adjoining a stream, cannot be lost by non-use, and imply

an equal sharing by all land users along the stream.

Lands under appropriated water rights do not need to adjoin a stream, may be lost by nonuse, and
vary from user to user based on a first come first served basis and plant need interpretation.
The last topic to be covered in this module is the identification of common state agencies
responsible for water rights.
There is no one state agency responsible for water rights. Rather, there are almost as many
different agency names as there are states. In fact, some states do not have any agency assigned
water responsibility. In a few cases, state engineers have the responsibility for water rights.
At this time, press "Pause" or "Stop" on your tape player and complete Activity 2 in the Study
Guide. You will have a brief reading assignment before you complete each activity. When you
have completed both activities, continue with the audiovisual presentation.
In summary of this module, streamflow data is needed for water forecasting, irrigation design
and operation in western states, and water resource project planning and design.
Sources of streamflow data include the U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,
USDA's Forest Service and Agricultural Research Service, the Department of Interior's Bureau
of Reclamation, and private companies.
The general causes of streamflow variability are amounts of precipitation and types of
precipitation, such as annual rains, snowmelt and man-made regulation.
There are two major types of water rights-riparian and appropriation. Riparian rights apply only
to lands adjoining a stream, appropriation rights do not. Riparian rights are maintained;
appropriation rights are lost by nonuse.
Riparian rights allow everyone along a stream to share equally. Appropriation rights use a "first
come first served basis" philosophy. Appropriated water rights do not need to adjoin a stream.
The only way to determine which state agency is responsible for water rights in your state is to
ask. There is no one definite regulatory agency for each state. In fact, some states do not have
water rights regulation at all.
This concludes the Streamflow Module. If you have questions your Study Guide does not
answer, ask your supervisor for help.